The Shutdown Ends, AMD Rides the AI Wave, Skims Hits $5B, Disney Battles YouTube TV”

13th November 2025

The longest U.S. government shutdown in history ended after 43 days as President Trump signed a funding bill to restore federal services and return workers to their jobs, though political tensions remain. AMD shares jumped 8% after forecasting a 60% boost in data center revenue over the next 3–5 years, fueled by AI deals with OpenAI and Oracle and ambitions to challenge Nvidia’s dominance. Kim Kardashian’s Skims raised $225 million at a $5 billion valuation, planning to expand shapewear, apparel, and activewear while growing its retail footprint and international presence. Disney’s YouTube TV blackout of ESPN and ABC is costing the company $4.3 million a day. The dispute over carriage fees could be resolved soon, with analysts expecting a deal to restore channels by the end of the week.

Major News 

• Trump Signs Deal to End Longest U.S. Government Shutdown

After a record-breaking 43 days, the longest government shutdown in U.S. history has officially come to an end. President Donald Trump signed a funding bill late Wednesday, just hours after the House of Representatives approved the measure to restart critical government services from food assistance programs to air traffic control operations and bring hundreds of thousands of federal workers back to their jobs.

The legislation, which passed the Republican-controlled House 222–209 after clearing the Senate earlier in the week, extends funding through January 30. It marks a temporary truce in a bitter standoff that left federal operations frozen and millions of Americans feeling the impact. “We can never let this happen again,” Trump said during the Oval Office signing, criticizing Democrats for their handling of the budget impasse.

The shutdown’s economic toll was significant. Economists estimate it shaved over a tenth of a percentage point off U.S. GDP each week it continued. With government data agencies finally reopening, markets and policymakers can expect a clearer picture of inflation, jobs, and growth though some October statistics may be lost for good. The resumption of food aid and air travel operations also offers relief ahead of the busy Thanksgiving and holiday season.

Despite the deal, there were no clear political winners. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found Americans almost evenly split on who to blame 50% pointed to Republicans, 47% to Democrats. While the agreement averts further immediate pain, it sets up another showdown before the end of January, with healthcare subsidies and long-term spending once again on the line. For now, Washington is breathing a sigh of relief but few believe the drama is over. Reuters 

• AMD Stock Soars as Chipmaker Forecasts 60% Jump in Data Center Revenue

AMD’s stock surged more than 8% on Wednesday after the chipmaker said it expects its data center revenue to climb 60% over the next three to five years, rising from $16 billion in 2025 as it pushes deeper into the booming AI market and looks to challenge Nvidia’s dominance.

Speaking at AMD’s Financial Analyst Day in New York, CEO Lisa Su said the company sees the total addressable market for AI data centers reaching a staggering $1 trillion within five years covering everything from GPUs and CPUs to networking hardware. CFO Jean Hu added that AMD’s total revenue is projected to grow 35% over that period, with data center products driving most of that expansion. The company also expects to maintain healthy margins, forecasting gross margins between 55% and 58% and operating margins above 35%.

AMD’s optimism follows a string of big wins in the data center space, including a 6-gigawatt partnership with OpenAI and a deal to supply Oracle with 50,000 chips, both set to begin in 2026. While analysts have raised questions about whether the AI sector can sustain such large-scale investments and whether companies like OpenAI can afford the hardware, Su remained confident. “This is a very unique moment in AI,” she said. “If AI usage grows as we expect, there will be plenty of financing to support it.”

Beyond its MI450 series GPUs, AMD teased its upcoming MI500 line of data center processors and projected continued growth in its CPU business, aiming to capture up to 50% of the server market from Intel. The company also expects more than 10% revenue growth in its client segment, which includes gaming and PC chips. So far, investors are impressed AMD shares have nearly doubled this year, outperforming Nvidia’s 43% gain. Finance.Yahoo

• Kim Kardashian’s Skims Raises $225 Million, Valued at $5 Billion

Skims, the shapewear and apparel brand co-founded by Kim Kardashian and Jens Grede, announced Wednesday that it has raised $225 million in new funding, putting the company’s valuation at $5 billion. The brand has benefited from Kardashian’s global profile and massive social media following, attracting a loyal base of young shoppers.

The round was led by Goldman Sachs Alternatives, with participation from BDT & MSD Partners, adding to an already strong roster of investors including Thrive Capital and Greenoaks. Skims plans to use the new capital to expand its intimates and shapewear lines, grow its apparel and activewear offerings, enhance its retail footprint, and support international expansion. Analysts say the fundraising positions the company as a potential IPO candidate in the future.

Founded in 2019, Skims is on track to surpass $1 billion in net sales in 2025. The brand has also consolidated operations with Kardashian’s beauty venture SKKN, partnered with Nike to launch women’s activewear, and now operates 18 retail stores in the U.S. plus two franchises in Mexico. By leveraging celebrity influence, strategic partnerships, and a focus on inclusive sizing, Skims is steadily expanding its product ecosystem across apparel, beauty, and lifestyle. Reuters 

• Disney Loses $4.3 Million a Day in YouTube TV Blackout — A Deal Could Be Near

Disney’s ongoing standoff with YouTube TV is proving costly to the tune of $4.3 million a day, according to Morgan Stanley analysts. The dispute, which has blacked out ESPN and other Disney-owned channels for YouTube TV subscribers, has left sports fans scrambling for ways to catch their favorite games including breaking out old-school antennas to watch Monday Night Football.

The heart of the fight isn’t just about sports, though it’s about money and rights. YouTube TV, owned by Google, is pushing back against Disney’s demand for higher carrier fees, particularly for ABC, which now simulcasts many of ESPN’s live games. Disney argues that broader access justifies higher costs, while YouTube says it’s already paying for the same content twice. To ease tensions with customers, YouTube TV even offered a $20 credit to frustrated subscribers amid reports that nearly a quarter were considering canceling their subscriptions.

Still, there’s reason to hope for a resolution soon. With Disney set to announce quarterly earnings, analysts believe both sides are motivated to strike a deal and restore channels potentially ending one of streaming’s most expensive standoffs by the end of the week. Morning Brew 

Minor News 

• Bostic to Retire as Trump Seeks Greater Control Over the Fed. Reuters

• Ex-Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal’s AI startup Parallel  raises $100M. Reuters 

• Boeing ordered to pay $28M to 737 MAX crash victim’s family. Reuters 

• Anthropic commits $50B to build U.S. data centers. Reuters 

• The End of an Era: The US Mint Stops Making Pennies. Morning Brew

  
  
  
  

• UK economic growth slows in Q3 after JLR cyberattack. Reuters

  
  
  
  

• North Wales chosen for UK’s first mini nuclear power plant. Reuters

  
  
  
  

• TotalEnergies to trim renewable portfolio outside key markets. Reuters